IN THE UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE. Chapter 11

Transcription

1 IN THE UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE x In re FILENE'S BASEMENT, LLC, et al., Debtors x Chapter 11 Case No (KJC) Jointly Administered Related Docket No. 245 NOTICE OF ORDER ESTABLISHING PROCEDURES AND RESTRICTIONS ON EQUITY TRANSFERS TO ALL PERSONS OR ENTITIES THAT MAY BE A SUBSTANTIAL EQUITYHOLDER (AS SUCH TERMS ARE DEFINED HEREIN) PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that on November 2, 2011, the above-captioned debtors and debtors in possession (collectively, the Debtors ) commenced cases under chapter 11 of title 11 of the United States Code (the Bankruptcy Code ). Upon the commencement of a chapter 11 case, section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code operates as a stay of any act to obtain possession of property of the Debtors estates or of property from the Debtors estates or to exercise control over property of the Debtors' estates. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that on November 21, 2011, an expedited motion was filed seeking entry of interim and final orders pursuant to sections 105(a), 362 and 541 of the Bankruptcy Code establishing notification procedures and approving restrictions on certain transfers of equity interests in the Debtors and their estates (the Motion ). PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that on November 22, 2011, the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the Bankruptcy Court ) having

2 jurisdiction over these chapter 11 cases entered its interim order (the Interim Order ) (a) finding that the Debtors' net operating loss ( NOL ) carryforwards and tax credit carryforwards are property of the Debtors estates under section 541 of the Bankruptcy Code and are protected by section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code; (b) finding that unrestricted transfers of the common stock of Syms Corp. (the Stock ) and/or options respecting such Stock could severely limit the Debtors ability to use their NOL and tax credit carryforwards for U.S. federal income tax purposes and (c) approving the procedures (the Procedures ) set forth below to preserve the Debtors NOL and tax credit carryforwards pursuant to sections 105(a), 362(a) and 541 of the Bankruptcy Code [D.I. 245]. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE THAT ANY SALE OR OTHER TRANSFER IN VIOLATION OF THE PROCEDURES SET FORTH BELOW SHALL BE NULL AND VOID AB INITIO AND MAY SUBJECT A VIOLATOR TO SANCTIONS. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the following Procedures and restrictions have been approved by the Bankruptcy Court on an interim basis pending a final hearing (the Final Hearing ) on the Motion (a) Notice of Substantial Equityholder Status. Any person or entity who is or becomes a Tax Owner (as defined below) of at least 686,288 shares, which represents approximately 4.75% of the issued and outstanding Stock as of November 21, 2011 (a Substantial Equityholder ), must, on or before the later of (A) fifteen (15) days after the Court s entry of the Interim Order approving these Procedures or (B) ten (10) days after that person or entity becomes a Substantial Equityholder, serve on the Debtors, their attorneys, 1 The Debtors and the last four digits of their respective taxpayer identification numbers are as follows Filene's Basement, LLC (8277), Syms Corp. (5228), Syms Clothing, Inc. (3869) and Syms Advertising Inc. 2

3 counsel to the Official Committee of Equity Holders of Syms Corp., and counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors (the Equity Committee and the Unsecured Creditors Committee being collectively referred to herein as the Committees ) a notice containing the Tax Ownership information substantially in the form of Exhibit B-1 attached hereto. (b) Restrictions and Procedures for Trading in Stock. Any Entity that, after the Effective Time, (1) is not a Substantial Equityholder and wishes to purchase or otherwise acquire Tax Ownership of an amount of Stock that would cause the Entity to become a Substantial Equityholder; (2) is a Substantial Equityholder and wishes to purchase or otherwise acquire Tax Ownership of any additional Stock; or (3) is a Substantial Equityholder and wishes to sell or otherwise dispose of Tax Ownership of any Stock, must, prior to the consummation of any such transaction, file with the Court (at the holder s election, in a redacted form that does not include such holder s taxpayer identification number and the aggregate principal amount of Stock that such holder beneficially owns), and serve on the Debtors, their counsel, and counsel for the Committees, an unredacted notice substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B-2, in the case of a proposed acquisition of Stock or an Option, or Exhibit B-3, in the case of a proposed disposition of Stock or an Option (either such notice, a Proposed Stock Transaction Notice ). The Debtors shall consult with counsel for the Committees prior to responding to any Proposed Stock Transaction Notice. If written approval of the proposed transaction is filed with the Court by the Debtors within fifteen (15) calendar (5234). 3

4 days following the receipt of a Proposed Stock Transaction Notice, then the transaction may proceed. If written approval of the proposed transaction is not filed by the Debtors with the Court within such period, then the transaction may not be consummated unless approved by a final and nonappealable order of the Court. Further transactions within the scope of this section (b) must be the subject of additional notices as set forth herein with additional waiting periods. (c) Confidentiality. The Debtors, their counsel, and counsel for the Committees shall keep all information provided in Notices delivered pursuant to the Interim Order (and Final Order) strictly confidential and shall not disclose the contents thereof except (i) to the extent necessary to respond to a petition or objection filed with the Court, (ii) to the extent otherwise required by law, (iii) to the extent that the information contained therein is already public, or (iv) to the extent the recipient is subject to a confidentiality agreement with the Debtors, including disclosing the contents to the financial advisors to the Debtors and the Committees. To the extent confidential information is necessary to respond to a petition or objection filed with the Court, such confidential information shall be filed under seal or in redacted form. (d) Sanctions for Noncompliance. Acquisitions and dispositions of Tax Ownership of Stock or Options in violation of the restrictions and procedures set forth in section (b) of this notice shall be void ab initio, and the sanction for violating this section (b) of this Notice shall be reversal of the noncompliant transaction or such other (or additional) measures as the Court may consider appropriate. (e) Discretionary Waiver by Debtors. The Debtors, with consent of the Committees, or pursuant to an Order of the Court, may waive any sanctions, remedies or notification procedures imposed by the Interim Order or the Final Order; provided, however, that any such waiver shall be filed with the Court. 4

5 (f) Notice of the Interim Order. Within five (5) business days of the entry of the Interim Order, (i) notice of the entry of the Interim Order shall be submitted for publication on the Marketwire, Inc. service; (ii) such notice together with a copy of the Interim Order shall be posted on the case information website for posting of documents in the Debtors cases maintained by the Debtors claims agent retained in these cases; (iii) notice of the entry of the Interim Order shall be served on (1) the Office of the United States Trustee for the District of Delaware; (2) counsel for the Committees; (3) any known Substantial Equityholders; (4) the Internal Revenue Service; (5) the Nasdaq Stock Market; (6) registered stockholders as of October 25, 2011; (7) Cede & Co.; and (8) all other parties that have requested notice under Bankruptcy Rule Upon receipt of such notice, counsel for the Committees shall send such notice to their respective committee members. Upon receipt of notice and at least once every three (3) months during the pendency of these chapter 11 cases, all transfer agents shall send the notice to all holders of more than 686,288 shares of Stock, registered with the transfer agent. Any registered holder shall, in turn, provide the notice to any holder for whose account the registered holder holds more than 686,288 shares of Stock. Any such holder shall, in turn, provide the notice to any person or entity for whom the holder holds more than 686,288 shares of Stock. Any person or entity, or broker or agent acting on such person s or entity s behalf, that sells an aggregate amount of at least 686,288 shares of Stock (or an Option with respect thereto) to another person or entity shall provide the notice to such purchaser or to any broker or agent acting on such purchaser s behalf. (g) Continued Compliance with Other Applicable Laws and Rules. The requirements set forth in the Interim Order are in addition to the requirements of Bankruptcy Rule 3001(e) and applicable securities, corporate, and other laws, and do not excuse compliance therewith. 5

6 (h) Special Rules. An Entity acquiring or disposing of Tax Ownership of Stock in the capacity of Agent of another Entity shall not be treated as a Substantial Equityholder solely to the extent acting in the capacity of Agent, and shall not have an affirmative duty to inquire whether the account, customer, investment fund, principal, trust, or beneficiary is subject to any restrictions or requirements under the Interim Order; provided, however, that the account, customer, fund, principal, trust, or beneficiary shall not be excluded from the Interim Order by reason of this subparagraph. (i) Definitions. For purposes of this Notice and the Procedures, the following definitions shall apply Agent means a broker, account manager, agent, custodian, nominee, prime broker, clearinghouse, or trustee (not including a trustee qualified under section 401(a) of the I.R.C.). Effective Time means November 21, Entity means a person or entity for purposes of the rules under section 382 of the I.R.C. "Option" means an option to acquire or sell common stock of Syms Corp. and includes any contingent purchase, sale, warrant, convertible debt, put, stock subject to risk of forfeiture, contract to acquire or dispose of such stock, derivative security or swap involving such stock, or similar interest regardless of whether it is contingent or otherwise not currently exercisable. Proposed Stock Transaction Notice has the meaning given in section (b) of this Notice. Stock means the common stock of Syms Corp. Substantial Equityholder means an Entity that has Tax Ownership of at least 686,288 shares of Stock. Substantial Equityholder Notice has the meaning given in section (b) of this Notice. 6

7 Tax Ownership means beneficial ownership of Stock as determined in accordance with applicable rules under section 382 and, to the extent provided in those rules shall include, but not be limited to, direct and indirect ownership (e.g., a holding company would be considered to have Tax Ownership of all shares owned or acquired by its 100% owned subsidiaries), ownership by members of a person s family and persons acting in concert with such person and, in certain cases, the holding, creation or issuance of an Option (in any form). The Term Tax Ownership of Stock shall include any variation of beneficial ownership of Stock and an Option to acquire Stock. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE PROCEDURES SET FORTH IN THIS NOTICE WILL CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE AUTOMATIC STAY PRESCRIBED BY SECTION 362 OF THE BANKRUPTCY CODE. AS STATED ABOVE, ANY PROHIBITED SALE, TRADE OR OTHER TRANSFER OF THE STOCK OR AN OPTION IN RESPECT THEREOF IN VIOLATION OF THE INTERIM ORDER WILL BE NULL AND VOID AB INITIO AND MAY LEAD TO CONTEMPT, COMPENSATORY DAMAGES, PUNITIVE DAMAGES OR SANCTIONS BEING IMPOSED BY THE BANKRUPTCY COURT. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that notice of entry of the Interim Order and opportunity to object to final approval (along with a copy of the Interim Order) shall be served by regular mail within five (5) business days following the entry of the Interim Order upon (i) the Office of the United States Trustee for the District of Delaware; (ii) counsel for the Committees; (iii) any known Substantial Equityholders; (iv) the Internal Revenue Service; (v) the Nasdaq Stock Market; (vi) registered stockholders as of October 25, 2011; (vii) Cede & Co.; and (vii) all other parties that have requested notice under Bankruptcy Rule

8 PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the deadline to file an objection ( Objection ) to the Motion shall be 400 p.m. (prevailing Eastern Time) on December 9, 2011 (the Objection Deadline ). An Objection shall be considered timely if it is (i) filed with the Court and (ii) actually RECEIVED on or before the Objection Deadline by (a) Debtors' counsel, Skadden, Arps, Meagher & Flom, LLP, One Rodney Square, Wilmington, Delaware (Attn Mark S. Chehi, Esq. and Jason M. Liberi, Esq.) and Skadden, Arps, Meagher & Flom, LLP, Four Times Square, New York, New York (Attn Mark A. McDermott, Esq. and David M. Turetsky, Esq.); (b) the Office of the United States Trustee (Attn David Klauder) 844 King Street, Lockbox 35, Wilmington, DE 19801; (c) Equity Committee's counsel, Munger, Tolles & Olson, 355 South Grand Avenue, 35th Floor, Los Angeles, CA (Attn Thomas B. Walper, Esq. and Seth Goldman, Esq.) and Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnel LLP, 1201 North Market Street, P.O. Box 1347, Wilmington, DE (Attn Robert J. Dehney, Esq. and Gregory W. Werkheiserm, Esq.), and (d) Creditors' Committee Counsel, Hahn & Hessen, 488 Madison Avenue, New York, NY (Attn Mark T. Power, Esq.). PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that if timely objections are received there shall be a hearing held on December 14, 2011 at 100 p.m. (Eastern) to consider the timely Objections to the Motion. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that if no Objections are timely filed and served, as set forth herein, the Debtors shall, on or after the Objection Deadline, submit to the Court a final order granting the relief requested herein, which order shall be submitted and may be entered with no further notice or opportunity to be heard afforded to any party, and the Motion shall be approved nunc pro tunc to the date of the filing of the Motion, November 21,

9 PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the requirements set forth in this Notice are in addition to the requirements of Rule 3001(e) of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure and applicable securities, corporate and other laws, and do not excuse compliance therewith. Dated November 22, 2011 Wilmington, Delaware /s/ Mark S. Chehi Mark S. Chehi (I.D. No. 2855) Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP One Rodney Square P.O. Box 636 Wilmington, Delaware (302) (302) and - Jay M. Goffman Mark A. McDermott David M. Turetsky Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP Four Times Square New York, New York (212) (212) Proposed Counsel for Debtors and Debtors in Possession - and - /s/ Robert J. Dehney Robert J. Dehney (Bar No. 3578) Gregory W. Werkheiser (Bar. No. 3553) Matthew B. Harvey (Bar No. 5186) Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnel LLP 1201 North Market Street P.O. Box 1347 Wilmington, DE Telephone (302) Fax (302) Wilmington Server 1A - MSW 9

10 -and- Thomas B. Walper Seth Goldman Bradley R. Schneider Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP 355 South Grand Avenue 35th Floor Los Angeles, CA Telephone (213) Facsimile (213) Proposed Counsel to the Official Committee of Equity Holders of Syms Corp. 10

11 EXHIBIT B-1

12 IN THE UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE x In re FILENE'S BASEMENT, LLC, et al., Debtors x Chapter 11 Case No (KJC) Jointly Administered SUBSTANTIAL EQUITYHOLDER NOTICE PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that, as of [date], 201[ ], [Name] has Tax Ownership of shares of the common stock of Syms Corp. (the Stock ). PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that pursuant to the Order Establishing Procedures and Restrictions on Equity Transfers, this Notice is being served upon (a) Debtors' counsel, Skadden, Arps, Meagher & Flom, LLP, One Rodney Square, Wilmington, Delaware (Attn Mark S. Chehi, Esq. and Jason M. Liberi, Esq.) and Skadden, Arps, Meagher & Flom, LLP, Four Times Square, New York, New York (Attn Mark A. McDermott, Esq. and David M. Turetsky, Esq.); (b) the Office of the United States Trustee (Attn David Klauder) 844 King Street, Lockbox 35, Wilmington, DE 19801; (c) Equity Committee's counsel, Munger, Tolles & Olson, 355 South Grand Avenue, 35th Floor, Los Angeles, CA (Attn Thomas B. Walper, Esq. and Seth Goldman, Esq.) and Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnel LLP, 1201 North Market Street, P.O. Box 1347, Wilmington, DE (Attn Robert J. Dehney, Esq. and Gregory 1 The Debtors and the last four digits of their respective taxpayer identification numbers are as follows Filene's Basement, LLC (8277), Syms Corp. (5228), Syms Clothing, Inc. (3869) and Syms Advertising Inc. (5234).

13 W. Werkheiserm, Esq.), and (d) Creditors' Committee Counsel, Hahn & Hessen, 488 Madison Avenue, New York, NY (Attn Mark T. Power, Esq.). This notice is given in addition to, and not as a substitute for, any requisite notice under Rule 3001(e) of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure. Respectfully submitted, [Name] [Address] [Telephone] [Facsimile] Dated [city, state], 200[ ] Wilmington Server 1A - MSW 2

14 EXHIBIT B-2

15 IN THE UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE x In re FILENE'S BASEMENT, LLC, et al., Debtors x Chapter 11 Case No (KJC) Jointly Administered NOTICE OF INTENT TO PURCHASE, ACQUIRE OR OTHERWISE OBTAIN TAX OWNERSHIP OF STOCK OR OPTIONS PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that [Name] intends to purchase, acquire or otherwise obtain Tax Ownership of shares of the common stock of Syms Corp. (the Stock ) or an Option, as defined below, with respect thereto (the Proposed Transaction ). PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that, prior to giving effect to the Proposed Transaction, [Name] has Tax Ownership of [amount] shares of the Stock. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that, after giving effect to the Proposed Transaction, [Name] would have Tax Ownership of [amount] shares of the Stock. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that this notice is being served upon (a) Debtors' counsel, Skadden, Arps, Meagher & Flom, LLP, One Rodney Square, Wilmington, Delaware (Attn Mark S. Chehi, Esq. and Jason M. Liberi, Esq.) and Skadden, Arps, Meagher & Flom, LLP, Four Times Square, New York, New York The Debtors and the last four digits of their respective taxpayer identification numbers are as follows Filene's Basement, LLC (8277), Syms Corp. (5228), Syms Clothing, Inc. (3869) and Syms Advertising Inc. (5234).

16 (Attn Mark A. McDermott, Esq. and David M. Turetsky, Esq.); (b) the Office of the United States Trustee (Attn David Klauder) 844 King Street, Lockbox 35, Wilmington, DE 19801; (c) Equity Committee's counsel, Munger, Tolles & Olson, 355 South Grand Avenue, 35th Floor, Los Angeles, CA (Attn Thomas B. Walper, Esq. and Seth Goldman, Esq.) and Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnel LLP, 1201 North Market Street, P.O. Box 1347, Wilmington, DE (Attn Robert J. Dehney, Esq. and Gregory W. Werkheiserm, Esq.), and (d) Creditors' Committee Counsel, Hahn & Hessen, 488 Madison Avenue, New York, NY (Attn Mark T. Power, Esq.). [Name] further acknowledges and agrees that (i) if the Debtors do not provide written approval of the Proposed Transaction within fifteen (15) calendar days of the date of this notice, the Proposed Transaction may not be consummated unless approved by a final and nonappealable order of the Court (ii) any transaction purportedly consummated in violation of the Order will be void ab initio and will result in the imposition of sanctions as provided in the Order, and (iii) any further transactions contemplated by [Name] that may result in [Name] purchasing, acquiring or otherwise obtaining Tax Ownership of additional Stock or Options will each require an additional notice be filed with the Bankruptcy Court and served in the same manner as this Notice. "Option" means an option to acquire or sell common stock of Syms Corp. and includes any contingent purchase, sale, warrant, convertible debt, put, stock subject to risk of forfeiture, contract to acquire or dispose of such stock, derivative security or swap involving such stock, or similar interest regardless of whether it is contingent or otherwise not currently exercisable. 2

17 This notice is given in addition to, and not as a substitute for, any requisite notice under Rule 3001(e) of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure. Dated [city, state] Respectfully submitted, [Name] [Address] [Telephone] [Facsimile] Wilmington Server 1A - MSW 3

18 EXHIBIT B-3

19 IN THE UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE x In re FILENE'S BASEMENT, LLC, et al., Debtors x Chapter 11 Case No (KJC) Jointly Administered NOTICE OF INTENT TO SELL, EXCHANGE OR OTHERWISE DISPOSE OF TAX OWNERSHIP OF STOCK OR OPTIONS PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that [Name] intends to sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of Tax Ownership of [ ] shares of the common stock of Syms Corp. (the Stock ) or an Option, as defined below, with respect thereto (the Proposed Transaction ). PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that, before giving effect to the Proposed Transaction, [Name] has Tax Ownership of [amount] shares of the Stock. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that, after giving effect to the Proposed Transaction, [Name] would have Tax Ownership of [amount] shares of the Stock. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that this notice is being served upon (a) Debtors' counsel, Skadden, Arps, Meagher & Flom, LLP, One Rodney Square, Wilmington, Delaware (Attn Mark S. Chehi, Esq. and Jason M. Liberi, Esq.) and Skadden, Arps, Meagher & Flom, LLP, Four Times Square, New York, New York (Attn Mark A. McDermott, Esq. and David M. Turetsky, Esq.); (b) the Office of the United States Trustee (Attn David Klauder) 844 King Street, Lockbox 35, Wilmington, DE 19801; (c) Equity 1 The Debtors and the last four digits of their respective taxpayer identification numbers are as follows Filene's Basement, LLC (8277), Syms Corp. (5228), Syms Clothing, Inc. (3869) and Syms Advertising Inc. (5234).

20 Committee's counsel, Munger, Tolles & Olson, 355 South Grand Avenue, 35th Floor, Los Angeles, CA (Attn Thomas B. Walper, Esq. and Seth Goldman, Esq.) and Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnel LLP, 1201 North Market Street, P.O. Box 1347, Wilmington, DE (Attn Robert J. Dehney, Esq. and Gregory W. Werkheiserm, Esq.), and (d) Creditors' Committee Counsel, Hahn & Hessen, 488 Madison Avenue, New York, NY (Attn Mark T. Power, Esq.). [Name] further acknowledges and agrees that (i) if the Debtors do not provide written approval of the Proposed Transaction within fifteen (15) calendar days of the date of this notice, the Proposed Transaction may not be consummated unless approved by a final and nonappealable Order of the Court (ii) any transaction purportedly consummated in violation of the Order will be void ab initio and will result in the imposition of sanctions as provided in the Order, and (iii) any further transactions contemplated by [Name] that may result in [Name] selling, exchanging or otherwise disposing of Tax Ownership of additional Stock or Options will each require an additional notice be filed with the Court to be served in the same manner as this notice. "Option" means an option to acquire or sell common stock of Syms Corp. and includes any contingent purchase, sale, warrant, convertible debt, put, stock subject to risk of forfeiture, contract to acquire or dispose of such stock, derivative security or swap involving such stock, or similar interest regardless of whether it is contingent or otherwise not currently exercisable. 2

21 This notice is given in addition to, and not as a substitute for, any requisite notice under Rule 3001(e) of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure. Dated [city, state] Respectfully submitted, [Name] [Address] [Telephone] [Facsimile] Wilmington Server 1A - MSW 3